Deep penetration arrow insert

ABSTRACT

The deep penetration arrow insert comprising a point receiver and an insertion rod extending longitudinally therefrom is invented. The point receiver is formed with a taper varying from zero to fifteen degrees (0-15°), along its length and the taper provides for a smooth transition between point and arrow thereby minimizing aerodynamic drag. As a result, a turbulence free transition and improved penetration of a target can be provided. The insertion rod with a number of circumferential rings and these rings provide for the addition of an adhesive to secure the rod within the arrow shaft. Thus, the deep penetration arrow insert of the present invention provides for an accurate shooting arrow for target and hunting which penetrates deeper and better than conventional arrows, by providing for decreased friction along the length of the shaft.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the U.S.Provisional Patent Application for “Deep Penetration Arrow Insert,” Ser.No. 61/385,824, filed on Sep. 23, 2010, the disclosure of which is fullyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates general to archery products, and morespecifically to arrow components. The present invention is moreparticularly, though not exclusively, useful as an insert for mountingto an arrow shaft and receiving an arrow point for target and hunting.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many different types of arrows and arrow shafts are known for use inhunting and sport archery. The most common form of arrow consists of ashaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end and with fletching anda nock attached to the other end.

The shaft is the primary structural element of the arrow, to which theother components are attached. Shafts of arrows are typically composedof solid wood, fiberglass, aluminum alloy, carbon fiber, or compositematerials. The arrowhead or projectile “point” is another primaryfunctional part of the arrow, and plays the largest role in determiningits purpose. Some arrows may simply use a sharpened tip of the solidshaft, but it is far more common for separate arrowheads to be made,usually from metal, stone, or other hard materials.

Fletching is found at the back of the arrow and provide a small amountof drag used to stabilize the flight of the arrow. They are designed tokeep the arrow pointed in the direction of travel by strongly dampingdown any tendency to pitch or yaw. Fletching are attached near the nockend of the arrow with thin double sided tape, glue, or traditionally,sinew.

Importantly, the accurate flight of an arrow is generally dependent onits fletching. The arrow's manufacturer can arrange fletching to causethe arrow to rotate along its axis. This improves accuracy by eveningpressure that may build up along one side of the arrow that wouldotherwise cause the arrow to “plane” on the air in a random directionafter shooting. However, even though the arrows are made with extremecare, the slightest imperfection, or air movement, will cause someunbalanced turbulence in air flow. The range of the arrow depends on theweight of the arrow, the amount of wind or friction applied to thearrow, and the air pressure against the arrow. When air resistance ispresent, a drag force acts on the arrow to slow it down by transferringmomentum from the arrow to the air. Two types of drag forces act on anarrow during its flight: form drag and shear drag. As the arrow fliesthrough the air, it drags the adjacent air along, creating boundarylayers of air with different velocities along the arrow resulting infriction. Thus, it has been understood that mere dependency on thefletching for the accurate flight of an arrow is not enough anymore forthe improved flight characteristics and penetration of arrows.

In order to address the problem of shear drag and poor flightcharacteristics, an arrow having a penetrating insert comprises a shaftand a point in an identical diameter has occasionally been used.However, when the point receiver has the identical diameter as that of ashaft, unpredictable turbulence in air flow along the length of theshaft has still been inevitable.

In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide an arrow withreduced aerodynamic drag where friction and unpredictable air turbulencealong the length of the shaft are decreased and the force of the arrowis absorbed entirely by the arrow point. It would also be advantageousto provide an arrow with a shaft having a narrow diameter in order toimprove the flight characteristics of the arrow. It would be furtheradvantageous to provide an arrow having improved penetration with theaid of a virtually nonexistent transition and/or the laminar air flowrendering the arrow maintain the axis during its launch through the air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The deep penetration arrow insert of the present invention includes apoint receiver and an insertion rod extending longitudinally therefrom.The point receiver is formed with a taper along its length from a frontdiameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of a typical arrowpoint, and decreasing in diameter to the approximate outer diameter ofthe arrow shaft being used. The taper is linear, and provides for asmooth transition between the diameter of the point, and the smallerdiameter of the shaft to provide improved flight characteristics andpenetration of a target.

The insertion rod extends from the base of the point receiver and isformed with a number of circumferential rings which provide for a snugcontact fit into the center bore of an arrow shaft. The spacing betweenthe rings provides for the addition of an adhesive to secure theinsertion rod within the arrow shaft.

The deep penetration arrow insert of the present invention provides foran accurate shooting arrow for target and hunting which penetratesdeeper than conventional arrows. As the point penetrates the target, thediameter of the hole created in the target by the penetrating point isslightly greater than the diameter of the arrow shaft. As a result,there is decreased friction along the length of the shaft and the forceof the arrow is absorbed entirely by the arrow point striking thetarget, and not distributed partially through the friction of the shaftas it passes through the target. This focused contact on the pointresults in an arrow equipped with the deep penetration arrow insert ofthe present invention penetrating much deeper than a similar arrowhaving an identical shaft and point.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent to those skilled in the art after considering thefollowing detailed description in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the deep penetration arrow insert of thepresent invention showing the point receiver for receiving an arrowpoint, and the insert rod for insertion into the bore of an arrow shaft;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the deep penetration arrowinsert of the present invention as shown in use with an arrow anddepicting the matching outer diameters of the base of the point receiverand the arrow shaft;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the deep penetration arrow insert ofthe present invention showing the point receiver, the threads to receiveand secure a point, and the varying diameter of the insert rod;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the deep penetration arrow insert of thepresent invention showing the mounting of a point to the insert, andshowing the similar relative diameters between the point diameter andthe front end of the receiver, and the diameter of the base, and thetapering angle formed into the point receiver to make that smoothaerodynamic transition;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional representation of the deep penetration arrowinsert of the present invention as shot into a target medium and showingthe deep penetration of the arrow point and shaft into the medium; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the target medium depicting the deeppenetration of the arrow into the medium to the point where the leadingedge of the fletching strikes the medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the deep penetrationarrow insert of the present invention is shown and generally designated100. Insert 100 includes a point receiver 102 and an insert rod 104.Point receiver 102 has a front 106 which tapers longitudinally down to abase 108, and is formed with a point-receiving bore 110.

Rod 104 extends from point receiver 102 and includes several sectionshaving differing diameters. From this view, rod 104 begins with section112, and narrows to section 114 and 118, and has two larger-diametersections 116 and 120. As will be discussed in greater detail inconjunction with FIG. 4, these varying diameters are useful in mountingand securing the insert 100 to an arrow shaft.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the penetrating insert 100 forarrow 50 of the present invention as shown in use with an arrow 50.Arrow 50 includes a shaft head 52 and a shaft end 54. As shown, arrow 50has an outer shaft diameter 56, and is formed with a longitudinal bore58 running the length of the arrow. A nock 60 is inserted intolongitudinal bore 58 at shaft end 54. From this figure, it can beappreciated that diameter 122 of insert 100 is approximately equal toouter shaft diameter 56.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the penetratinginsert 100 for arrow 50 of the present invention is shown. Point 64includes threads 66 which when positioned through receiving bore 110 ofpoint receiver 102, are threadably secured into threads 128. A seat 124is formed at the transition of the insert 100 between the point receiver102 and rod 104. This seat is intended to rest snugly against the end 59of shaft 50 (shown in FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 4, a side view of the deep penetration arrow insert100 of the present invention is shown with a mounted point 64 fullyseated with in the point receiver bore 110. As shown, the width 142 ofthe base of the point 64 is substantially the same as width 140 of theend 106 of point receiver 102. The similarity in widths 140 and 142minimizes the aerodynamic drag and turbulence that is created as thearrow travels through the air. Given that arrows can travel atvelocities exceeding 850 feet per second, the smooth transition betweenpoint 64 and point receiver 102 minimizes aerodynamic drag and flightdisruption.

The diameter 56 of a typical arrow shaft 50 is smaller in diameter thanthe width 142 of point 64. As a result, point receiver 102 is formedwith a longitudinal taper angle 144 which provides for a smallerdiameter 122 at the base 108 than diameter 140 at end 106. Diameter 122of point receiver 102 is substantially the same as width 56 of shafthead 52. This allows the insert 100, when seat 124 is positioned snuglyagainst shaft head 52, to transition into arrow 50 with no aerodynamicdisruption.

As the rod 104 extends away from point receiver 102, the rod 104 isformed with portions having decreased widths. Specifically, rod 104extends away from point receiver 102 with first section 112 having adiameter 146. This diameter 146 is closely received within longitudinalbore 58 to provide a mechanical alignment of insert 100 to arrow 50.This longitudinal alignment facilitates a straight and true flight ofarrow 50 in use.

Rod 104 is formed with various segments 114, 116, 118 and 120. Some ofthese segments have different diameters that are less than diameter 146.For instance, diameter 148 of segment 114 and diameter 152 of segment118 are less than diameters 146, 150 and 154 of segments 112, 116 and120, respectively. This provides for the addition of an adhesive (notshown) that can be positioned along rod 104 in segments 114 and 118 sothat once the insert 100 is inserted into the bore 58 of arrow 50, theinsert will be secured and not separate from the arrow body before orduring use.

Segment 154 is of the larger diameter 154 corresponding to the internallongitudinal diameter of bore 158 of shaft 150. This provides astabilizing function as the location of segment 154 is at the end 130 ofinsert 100 a distance 158 from seat 124. The moment created by length158 increases the positional stability of insert 100 within shaft 50thereby providing improved oscillation and flight characteristics of anarrow equipped with the insert of the present invention.

The length 156 of point receiver 102 can vary from embodiment toembodiment. For instance, point receiver 102 of insert 100 may be 1.00inches which allow an easy installation. Specifically, since manyarchers have a personal preference for shooting an arrow of a particularoverall length (e.g. 28 inches), it will be easy to adjust the length ofthe shaft 50 for using the insert of the present invention by cutting aone inch segment of the shaft prior to insertion of the insert 100.

The diameter 122 is established based on the external diameter 56 of thearrow shaft 50 being used. Also, the diameter 140 of point receiver 102may also vary and is established based on the external diameter 142 ofpoint 64. Because the length 156 and diameters 140 and 122 may vary fromembodiment to embodiment, it is to be appreciated that the taper angle144 can vary. In preferred embodiments, taper angle 144 can range fromzero to fifteen degrees) (0-15°), to accommodate virtually any arrow 50and point 64 combination. The similar relative diameters between thepoint diameter 142 and the front end 106 of the point receiver 102, andthe diameter 122 of the base 108, and the tapering angle 144 formed intothe point receiver provide a smooth aerodynamic transition between point56 and arrow 50 thereby minimizing aerodynamic drag.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional representation of the deeppenetration arrow insert 100 of the present invention as shot into atarget medium 200 is shown. Target medium 200 can be virtually anytarget material, ranging from traditional archery target backstops(foam, wood, hay bales, etc.) to game animals (deer, elk, rabbit, etc.).As shown in this Figure, arrow 50 is equipped with the deep penetrationarrow insert 100 of the present invention, and finished with a targetpoint 64. Arrow 50 strikes the target medium 200 from direction 202, andenters the medium a distance 204. This distance 204 is dependent on themedium, however, in most circumstances, the arrow 50 equipped with thedeep penetration arrow insert 100 of the present invention enters thetarget completely, or at least until the fletching 62 strikes the target200.

Referring to FIG. 6, an enlarged view of the target medium 200 shows thecreation of a gap 206 that develops in target 200 as insert 100 passesthrough it. Specifically, since the diameter 142 of point 64 is greaterthan the diameter 56 of shaft 50, there is virtually no friction alongthe length of the shaft 50 as it passes through the target 200. Thisallows all kinetic energy from the in-flight arrow to be absorbed by thepoint 64 itself, providing for much deeper penetration than a typicalarrow. In most cases, the leading edge 68 of fletching 62 becomes thestopping point of the arrow 50 as it passes through the target 200;however, in cases where the target width is less than the length of thearrow 50, the arrow passes entirely through the target. In some cases,the arrow passes through the target with such velocity that thefletching 62 is physically stripped from the arrow shaft 50. Whenutilizing the insert of the present invention for game hunting, thepenetration of the arrow 50 through the target animal increases thelikelihood that wound inflicted will be immediately fatal, and avoidsthe risk that the animal will be only marginally wounded and suffer inprolonged agony.

1. A deep penetration arrow insert having a point receiver and aninsertion rod extending longitudinally therefrom.
 2. The said pointreceiver of claim 1 comprising: a front which tapers along its lengthfrom a front diameter; and a point-receiving bore.
 3. The said pointreceiver of claim 1, further comprising: a width of the base of thepoint which is substantially the same as a width of the end of pointreceiver; and a longitudinal taper angle providing for a smallerdiameter at the base than a diameter at the end.
 4. The said pointreceiver of claim 1 is secured through receiving bore therein, wherethreads within the point are positioned.
 5. The said longitudinal taperof claim 3 comprising: a front diameter which is substantially the sameas the outer diameter of a typical arrow point; and a section decreasingin diameter to the approximate outer diameter of the arrow shaft beingused.
 6. The said taper angle of claim 3 can range from zero to fifteendegrees (0-15°).
 7. The said insertion rod of claim 1, wherein the saidrod extends from a said point receiver and further comprising aplurality of sections having differing diameters.
 8. The said insertionrod of claim 1, further comprising a larger segment at the end of thesaid rod consisting of a larger diameter corresponding to the internallongitudinal diameter of bore of shaft.
 9. The said larger segment ofclaim 8, further providing a stabilizing function through the momentcreated at the larger segment at the end of the said insertion rod ofclaim 1.